Man who is ‘UK’s longest-suffering Covid patient’ takes his first steps since March last year
Britain’s longest-suffering Covid patient, 49, takes his first steps since March after virus ravaged his lungs and kidneys
- Jason Kelk, 49, was admitted to St James’ Hospital, Leeds, on March 31 last year
- Primary School IT worker was unable to walk as lungs and kidneys were ravaged
- He has now taken his first steps on his own in ten months to the joy of wife, Sue
A man unable to walk on his own for nearly a year after being ravaged by the effects of Covid-19 has taken his first steps since last March.
Jason Kelk, 49, is one of the longest fighting patients in the UK after being admitted to St James’ Hospital in Leeds, West Yorks, on March 31 last year.
The virus has damaged his lungs and kidneys but doctors were baffled why he has been unable to recover or walk.
But he is finally on the road to recovery after taking his first steps on his own, which were captured in an emotionally-charged video.
Jason Kelk was filmed taking his first steps on his own in nearly a year as he continues to recuperate from Covid 19
Jason, pictured with wife Sue on their wedding day with daughter Claire Griffin, is one of the longest Covid fighting patients in the UK
Wife Sue, from Leeds, West Yorks, said: “I felt 10 foot tall. I’m so proud of him, it really is miraculous to see.
“He’s managed to walk on the spot before and had taken a few steps but this was the first time he’s walked like this. It was quite a long way – about six to 10 metres I think they said.
“It was a fantastic moment, I was absolutely buzzed.”
Jason, who works in IT at a local primary school, had certain risk factors for severe Covid as a type-two diabetic with mild asthma.
Sue said over the past four weeks he has managed to spend increasing periods of time off his ventilator and his previously 24-hour kidney filter has been reduced.
Mr Kelk has been able to stay off the ventilator for extended periods and spent time with wife Sue in the grounds of the hospital
Hospital staff have also managed to take Jason outside for fresh air and to see Sue three times over the past three weeks after not being able to see each other outdoors since May.
She said: “He has been doing really well. He got to the point of being able to spend 16 hours off the ventilator every day, and just going back on for eight hours every night.
“He also got up to 60 hours off his kidney filter, that’s happened about four or five times now.
“It’s been brilliant because you are not encumbered by masks or gloves. It was just Jason and me and whoever else I take with me.
“We just chat and sit there holding hands and stuff, and sneak a little kiss. It’s just been so lovely to see him.”
